Free NCLEX-RN Practice Test

The NCLEX-RN test

The National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) test is given in computer adaptive format, which means that the next question you receive will depend on the answer you gave before. Correct answers will mean questions at a higher skill level, while wrong answers will mean going back to a lower level. Those doing well right off the bat will have to answer fewer question, as they’ve demonstrated by their answers a mastery of the basics. The software will keep providing new questions until satisfactory competency, or the lack of it, is demonstrated. So test takers will answer between 75 and 265 questions.

The subject matter is centered around nursing, and not general academic skills like math and literature. Subjects covered include Safe Effective Care Environment-coordinated care and safety and infection control; Health Promotion and Maintenance; Psychosocial Integrity; and Physiological Integrity-basic care and comfort, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk potential, and physiological adaptation. The results of your NCLEX-RN test are only reported as either pass or fail. It’s a difficult and challenging test, but if you’ve obtained an RN degree, there’s no reason that with solid preparation you can’t pass the NCLEX RN exam.

NCLEX-RN Practice Test

1. A nurse is putting together an educational seminar on advance directives. What information would be included in the materials?

a. A patient may change a treatment decision in an advance directive if the patient's health care agent approves the change.

b. When admitted to the hospital, a patient must appoint a Durable Power of Attorney for health care decisions.

c. A health care facility must provide a patient informational material advising them of their rights to declare their desires concerning treatment decisions.

d. A health care facility is required to provide a patient an attorney when the patient is signing a living will.

2. A nurse is advising a patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on infection control procedures. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates that the patient understands the advice?

a. I'm going to a basketball game tonight.

b. I should avoid anyone with cold symptoms.

c. I should have a blood test.

d. I'm not going to attend functions with large crowds.

3. Which of the following would be an expected finding in an age assessment of a 2 year old?

a. Has a 300 word vocabulary

b. Uses one hand to turn the pages of a book

c. Runs with a wide stance

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

4. A patient's spouse died three months before. The patient says "I would like my friend Tom to have my collection of artwork because I don't need to look at them anymore". Which of the following responses by the nurse would be proper?

a. Did Tom ask for the artwork?

b. Are you planning to commit suicide?

c. Does Tom know you want to give him the artwork?

d. Why do you want to give the artwork away?

5. A nurse is instructing a patient on the use of a walker. Which of the following would be included in the instructions?

a. While putting your body weight on your hands, step into the walker

b. Hold the upper handgrips

c. When seated, push off the chair to come to a standing position

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

6. A patient, who weighs 200 pounds, has a prescription for a Dopamine Drip at 5 mcg/kg/min. There is 400 mg per 500 ml D5W on hand. The nurse should administer __________ millimeters to the patient each hour.

a. 17

b. 24

c. 34

d. 44

7. A patient is to get an MRI of the abdomen. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the patient?

a. Do not wear metal objects during the MRI, including jewelry.

b. Do not take oral medications up to 12 hours after the MRI.

c. Do not urinate prior to the MRI.

d. Do not eat solid foods 12 hours prior to the MRI.

8. Which of the following symptoms would support a diagnosis of Crohn's disease?

a. Fever and vomiting

b. Fatigue and headache

c. Rectal cramping and bleeding

d. Stomach swelling and gas

e. All of the above

9. A nurse is teaching a staff seminar on patient confidentiality. Which of the following statements would be included in the presentation?

a. Verbal consent is sufficient to allow family members to see a patient's medical records.

b. If a family member is at the hospital, he or she would be entitled to an update on the patient's status.

c. All hospital staff may have access to a patient's medical records.

d. Consent to disclosure is implied when a patient is transferred from one health provider or facility to another.

10. A patient has a prescription for Tylenol at 650mg every 6 hours. A nurse only has 325mg pills of Tylenol available. How many pills would be administered every 6 hours?

a. 2

b. 3

c. 4

d. 5

11. A patient is suffering from heart failure. Which of the following would be recommended by a nurse as part of the patient's health care plan?

a. Discouraging a diet of fruit and vegetables

b. Checking for swelling of the lower limbs

c. Encourage the daily intake of fluids

d. Encouraging vigorous exercise

12. A patient has had diarrhea for the past 72 hours. Which of the symptoms would support a diagnosis of hypovolemia?

a. Light colored urine output

b. Sudden weight gain

c. Decreased pulse rate

d. Wet mucous membranes

e. Dizzy Spells

13. The spouse of a patient in a long term treatment facility asks a nurse for information about the patient's treatment plan. The nurse should respond as follows?

a. Ask the patient for the information.

b. I cannot give you information on any patient.

c. The doctor will speak to you about the treatment plan.

d. Can you give me the patient's Social Security Number?

14. Which of the following infectious control methods should be used when caring for a patient with bacterial pneumonia?

a. Wear a mask when taking vital signs

b. Do not allow flowers in the patient's room

c. Require the patient to use disposable eating utensils

d. Do not allow visitors

15. A patient is brought to the emergency room by her spouse. The patient's injuries are indicative of physical abuse. Which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?

a. Question the couple about how their marriage is going.

b. Inform the spouse that the patient's injuries appear to be the result of abuse.

c. Inform the patient that she will have to speak to the police.

d. With the spouse out of the room, question the patient about the possibility of abuse.

16. Which of the following advisements should a patient suffering from GERG receive?

a. To eat high-protrein, low-fat foods

b. To elevate the head area of the bed

c. To stay upright two to three hours after a meal

d. Limit the intake of acid-stimulating food and drink

e. All of the above

17. A patient, who weighs 143 pounds, has a prescription for Garamycin at two mg/kg, IV, every eight hours. There is 100 mg in 50 ml solution on hand. The nurse should administer __________ millimeters to the patient with each dose.

a. 45

b. 55

c. 65

d. 75

18. A patient is not to eat or drink anything 24 hours before a colonoscopy.

a. True

b. False

19. Which of the following symptoms would a patient exhibit with hyperthyroidism?

a. Intolerance to cold

b. Increase in weight

c. Decreased bowl movements

d. Slow heart rate

e. Dry skin

f. None of the above

20. A patient is having a tonic-clonic seizure. A nurse should take which of the following steps?

a. Put a pillow under the patient's head

b. Put restraints on the patient

c. Use a tongue blade on the patient

d. Lay the patient on his back

e. Leave the patient alone in his room to rest

21. A patient with a history of schizophrenia says "The medical staff is secretly employed by the CIA to take me out." The nurse should respond as follows:

a. The CIA protects us and is not out to hurt you.

b. No other patient thinks that.

c. I want to help you, not harm you. It must be frightening thinking people want to hurt you.

d. When did you first start having these thoughts?

22. Which of the following patients should a nurse recognize as having an increased risk of breast cancer while doing breast cancer screening?

a. A 44 year old who has had five children

b. A 28 year old who is breast feeding her first child

c. A 35 year old who started her menstrual cycle at age 12

d. A 61 year old who has not had children

23. A patient is scheduled for surgery to have his appendix out due to acute appendicitis. The patient says "I don't think I need surgery now because I feel better." A nurse should respond as follows:

a. I will have your spouse explain the procedure to you again.

b. I will call your doctor to explain the procedure to you.

c. I will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you have.